Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
What a day to remember!
Monroe proudly celebrated its 93rd Annual Commencement today at the legendary Radio City Music Hall in the heart of Manhattan, giving graduates a truly unforgettable setting to mark one of the biggest milestones of their lives.
To accommodate the many family members and friends who came to cheer on their loved ones, the University hosted two commencement ceremonies. In total, Monroe awarded degrees to 2,023 graduates from the Class of 2026. An additional 1,276 students who are expected to complete their degree requirements this summer were also invited to participate, allowing them to celebrate alongside their classmates rather than wait until next year's ceremony.
University President Marc Jerome congratulated graduates on their remarkable achievements and the journeys that brought them to this moment.
"Today, we are inspired and impressed by you," he told the graduating class. "Think back to the person you were when you first arrived at Monroe, carrying a dream and the determination to build a better future for yourself, your family, and your community. Today, that dream becomes reality. Please give yourself a round of applause."
The morning ceremony honored graduates from the School of Allied Health Professions, School of Business and Accounting, School of Information Technology, and School of Nursing. Leading the procession as Grand Marshal was Loris Crawford, a beloved member of the Monroe community who has dedicated 41 years of service to the University. New York State Assemblymember Karines Reyes delivered the keynote address.
The afternoon ceremony celebrated graduates from the King Graduate School, School of Criminal and Social Justice, School of Education, and School of Hospitality Management, including the Culinary Institute of New York. Josephine Cerrudo, who has supported Monroe students for 35 years through the Academic Technology team, served as Grand Marshal. New York State Assemblymember Chantel Jackson delivered the keynote address, while New York City Council Member Pierina Sanchez shared congratulatory remarks with graduates and their families.
The celebration also welcomed an impressive group of guests from across the globe, including government officials, members of diplomatic missions and consulates, education leaders, and representatives from major labor organizations.
Monroe's Class of 2026 reflects the University's rich diversity and global reach. Graduates represented 33 states and an incredible 103 countries. Alongside students from across the United States and its territories, the largest international student populations came from India, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, China, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Congratulations to the Monroe University Class of 2026! Your hard work, perseverance, and dedication have brought you to this exciting moment, and we can't wait to see what you'll accomplish next.